Implementing the OECD Due Diligence Guidance

We are working with partners and multiple stakeholders to ensure the widest possible dissemination of the Guidance and its active use by companies throughout the mineral supply chain (tin, tungsten, tantalum (3Ts) and gold), industry associations, financial institutions, and civil society organisations. Stakeholders meet to review and advance progress within the framework of the ICGLR-OECD-UN GoE Multi-stakeholder Forum for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains. A Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) serves as the management committee of the Forum and works in collaboration with the OECD for the implementation of the Guidance.

Gold Implementation Programme

The gold programme of activities, launched in May 2013, brings together key players across the gold supply chain, including OECD and partner countries, implementing governments, regional and international organisations, civil society, industry and other experts.

The gold implementation programme helps foster peer-learning, constructive dialogue, and mutual understanding on due diligence practices and associated challenges across the supply chain. It facilitates discussions around workable solutions to due diligence implementation, including the possible design of innovative market opportunities for responsibly sourced gold from conflict-affected and high risk areas, in particular from artisanal and small-scale sources.

While the primary geographic focus is on gold sourced from Africa’s Great Lakes region, the gold implementation programme may include activities covering other regions, given the global scope of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.

Gold baseline assessments

This series of five studies identifies and assesses potential traceable ‘conflict-free’ supply chains of artisanally-mined gold in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Dubai (UAE). It also aims to identify the challenges to implementation of supply chain due diligence.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Miner (ASM) Hub

The 3Ts pilot implementation programme

From May 2011 to December 2012, the OECD, the ICGLR, and the UN Group of Experts on the DRC worked together on the pilot implementation of the Guidance and its 3Ts Supplement by companies sourcing minerals from Africa's Great Lakes region.

Over 100 companies, both upstream and downstream, and industry associations volunteered to take part. Participating companies demonstrated how they perform supply chain due diligence through a peer learning process intended to help them meet reporting obligations and the expectations of managers, customers, regulators and the public.

Implementation reportsThese reports identify best practices and helpful implementation tools to further assist companies to respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral or metal purchasing decisions and practices.